Donald Bertram Lee, age 89, passed away on the morning of December 29, 2025, after a brief hospital stay.
Don was born on September 24, 1936, in Terry, MT, to Evelyn Sweet Brandenthaler and H. Bert Lee. He was a student in Terry for most of his school years. He participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He graduated from Terry High School in 1954.
His summers were spent traveling with his grandparents, Pete and Ursa Brandenthaler. They traveled mainly to South Mountain Mine, which they owned in Idaho.
After graduating from high school, he attended one year of college at U of M- Missoula and then attended one semester of college at MSU- Bozeman.
In January of 1956, he and two of his friends (Dale Hess and Dale Liles) joined the Air Force. While on leave, he and his high school sweetheart, Dorcas Hess, were married in Terry along with her brother Dale and Martha (Marti) Johnson in a double ceremony on August 12, 1956.
Don and Dorcas (Dotty) traveled to Sacramento, CA where he was stationed at McClellan AFB. In February of 1957 he was stationed in Greenland for one year, while Dorcas returned to Montana. On his return to the states, he and Dorcas returned to McClellan AFB.
In September of 1958, his grandfather, Pete Brandenthaler passed away and his grandmother, Ursa, obtained a hardship discharge. They returned to Terry in November of 1958 to run his grandparents’ ranch south of Terry.
After settling on the ranch, Don took delivery of a herd of Black Angus cattle that his grandfather had purchased, introducing black cattle into a Hereford cattle community. There were many enjoyable years of gathering, branding, and shipping cattle with his family and south-side neighbors.
They started their family while living on the ranch. They had four children: Donald Branden (May 1959), Dori Lynn (January 1961), Deborah Kay (July 1962), and Derrik Bertram (March 1966).
Don enjoyed farming, ranching, and his family. He attended many children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting events. He played couples bridge and looked forward to the monthly “Birthday Club”. He liked taking long drives around the area and hopping in his side by side to visit nearby neighbors.
Don is survived by his wife Dorcas; children Don (Leanne) Lee of Huntley, Dori (Steve) Bradley of Terry, and Deb (Dale) Winter of Henderson, Nevada; sister Joan Grammer of Terry; grandchildren Shasta Bridges of Huntley, Tawni (Zeth) Ban of Huntley, Kendal (Tameena) Lee of Billings, Kirsten Winter of LaJola, CA, and Kayla Winter of Jersey City, NJ. He has 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson, four nieces, one nephew, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his son Derrik; parents Bert and Evelyn; in-laws Al and Mildred Hess; grandparents Pete and Ursa Brandenthaler; brothers-in-law Dean and Dale Hess and Dick Grammer; and sister-in-law Marti Hess.
Don’s family would like to thank the staff at the Prairie County Hospital for taking such good care of Don and his extended family.
There will be no services held at this time, but at a future date. Desired memorials can be made to an entity or charity of one’s choice within Prairie County.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Stephanie Kaul says
Dorcas & family,
I am so sorry to see this. I have many memories of softball trips & visits with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Troy and JoDee Hess says
Thoughts and prayers for you all!!
Jack & Kris Crocker says
To the Lee family: so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He was always a card to visit with. Prayers to all.
Laris & Elden says
Dorcas and family, We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We are keeping you all in our prayers.
Jean Trask Brown says
Dorcas and family, Remember Coup[es bridge, BBQ Ribs, and licorice Jelly Beans. My thoughts are with you at this time. He will be missed.
Del Linda says
Truly sorry to hear of Don passing. Very special friend of our family. Lots of memories. Hugs and prayers to all. 🙏🫂❤️
Larry and Judy says
Dorcas and Lee Families, How sorry we are to hear of Don’s passing. It’s hard to lose a family member at any age, but it’s also hard to lose a long-time neighbor and friend. We enjoyed working together at many, many brandings, shippings, snow-storms, and country phoneline outages. But the meals, card parties and other get-togethers created even more memories. We’re sure thinking of all of you as you deal with your loss, but Dorcas, we will be keeping you close to our hearts and in our prayers throughout the lonely days ahead.
Pete and Marion Anderson says
We were so glad to visit with him recently. Thankful a lifetime of good memories and friendship over the years. Classmate of 1954. Our thoughts are with Dorcas and the family.
Vern n Carolyn May says
Dorcas and family,
We are so very sorry to hear this.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Stephannie Tebow says
Dear Aunt Joan and Dorcas and Famly,
It is hard to lose a Brother, Husband and Father no matter his season of life. It has been my great honor to visit the home and family of Don Lee on the few occasions I was in Terry with Aunt Joan. Don’s presence was unmistakable and memorable. I pray you will be comforted by your many memories of Don and the love you shared. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers.
Ron Rogerson says
As one goes thru life you run into individuals that have an impact on you. They stay in your memories for a lifetime. Don was one of those individuals. Many great memories.
Ron and Theresa Rogerson
Darlene Strobel says
My deepest sympathy in the loss of Don. You’ll miss his presence and the community will too. It was good to see him at monthly dinners and get to know him better.
May God give you the extra strength, peace and comfort needed in the days ahead.
Blessings to each of you,
Darlene
Joan (Lee) Grammer says
I loved my brother. My memories go back a long-long time. He was always the steak in a hamburger joint to me. I will miss you and hope to see you again.
L Koehler says
To my dear Dorcas and Joanie and your extended families… Words convey so little when hearts feel so much… I hope all the special memories help you through this difficult time… Linda 💔
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Dorcas and family, Joan and family, our deepest sympathy at your loss. In the 32 years I worked for Bert and Evelyn I got to know Don really well. He became such a good friend to both Marty and I. We had lots of visits over popcorn and pop. He became a friend to all my children who worked for Bert and Evelyn. I also became close to Dorcas and their children, they were all like family to me. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
R.I.P. Don
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Dorcas and family and Joan and family, our deepest sympathy at your loss. I knew Don the entire time I was growing up. I started working for his parents Bert and Evelyn when I was 12. All that time at the Rialto and the Drive In theatre I got to tell know Don and his family,they were like family to me. I worked for His parents for 32 years and sometimes for Don and Dorcas. Their children grew up around me. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all. Don may you R.I.P
Lorin and Jamie Larsen says
Dorcas and family, we are sending our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Your family has always been apart of us. Lorin and I have been friends, neighbors and employees. Don will be greatly missed and fondly remember by us and our family.